Directional track contactor



Jan. 18 1927.

W. F. BOSSERT ET AL.

DIRECTIONAL TRACK GONTACTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed August 14. 1922 i Inn Jan. 18, 1921. ,615,186

W. F. BOSSERT ET AL DIRECTI ONAL TRACK CONTAQTOR Filed August 14, 1922 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 18,1927. 1515,1136

W. F'. BQSSERT ET AL DIRECTIONAL TRACK CONTACTOR I Filed August 14. 19224 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 18,1927. 1,615,186

w. F. BossERT ET AL A DIRECTIONAL TRACK CON'I ACTOR Filed August 14',1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR a/W 1 cfizwm BY W I AT NEYs.

Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

v-um'reu srarss PATENT. ore-ice.

WILLIAM F} BOSSEET AND JOHN C. EDW'AR'DS, OF UTIOA, NEW YORK, AS'SIGNORST0 SIGNAL ACCESSORIES CORPORATION, 011 UTICA, YORK, A CORPORATION" OFNEW YORK.

DIRECTIONAL TRACK CONTAC'IOB.

Application filed. August 14, 1922'. Serial No. 581,678.

This invention relates to a new directional track contactor, and morespecifically to mechanism for controlling electric circuits adapted tobe actuated by the contact of a 5 passing locomotive or car wheel, whichmechanism when primarily actuated upont-he passing of a train in eitherdirection, will not be aiij'ected by subsequent contacts of a car orlocomotive wheel until the entire train has passed beyond the zone ofthe device, thereby adapting the device for use uion sin le track railwas.

In a general way, the invention comprises the combination with a railwaytrack of a wheel contact mechanism attached to a rail section or theties thereof, and arranged to be actuated by the foremost wheel only ofthe passing train, and being provided with a mechanical time releaseattachment by which subsequent operations by the succeeding wheels areavoided until the train has passed beyond the zone of the device.

The

invention utilizes or embodies a circuit-closing means positioneddirectly in line with the contact point, and having mechanicallyoperable connection. to the contact device.

The main object of the invention is to provide circuit-controlling meansof the character described, adapted to be actuated in either directionfrom a normal position by an impulse received from the Wheel of apassing train to thereby indicate at some more or less distant point,the passage of such train, and the direction of its movement.

drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the wheel contactdevice and power-transmitting shaft,

in combination with a through the instrument box.

sectional view Figure 2: is a view showing an end elevation of the wheelcontact device and the method of applying the same to a track.

Figure 3- is a top plan view of the instrument box with the coverremoved.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4'4, Fig

ure 3.

, invention. a

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view through the mechanism of Figure8'.

Figure 10 is an elevation partially in section of the rocking levers foractuating the weight utilized in connection with the time "75 releasemechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is illustrated in connectionwith a railway track, including a rail 1 with the wheel -2' movingthereon, and the ties 3- for supporting the rail.

The contact trip 4, as illustrated, is carried by a contact lever --5the latter being provided with an angular or squared opening fitting asquared portion of the shaft 7, and adapted to convey any movement ofthe contact lever 5 to the mechanism of the instrument box hereinafterdescribed. Preferably, the operating shaft 7 includes a flexibleinsulated joint 8 of any suitable well known construction. The other endof the shaft 7 may be provided with a squared portion, as

indicated, which is passed through the central portion of a yoke 9 andthrough the axis of a segment gear 10, the latter 1 adapted to actuatepinions 13 mounted upon a pair. of oppositely disposed shafts 30-extending longitudinally of the instrument box 31.

The opposite ends of-the yoke 9 are each equipped with a clevis 11having a portion disposed within and engaged with the respective springs12-, which springs support the clevises in proper position. The

lower ends of the springs are maintained in predetermined relation tothe instrument box --3lin any suitable way, as by providing the box withrecesses 14 within which the lower ends of the springs are adapted toproject. These springs are of such form and size as to normally maintainor tend to maintain the yoke in a balanced or equi librium position, asindicated in Figure t.

The shafts 30, as indicated, extend longitudinally of the instrument box-31- and are in substantial parallelism with the operating shaft 7, andas stated, at one end are equipped with pinions -13.

A framework 15- is arranged within the instrument box 31- for supportingthe parts already described, and those now about to be described.

This framework comprises an upright --16 in which the end of the shaft7-- may be journaled at a point beyond the mounting of the segment gear10 and in this upright -16 at opposite sides of the instrument box aremounted the forward ends of the shafts 30- upon which the pinions -13are mounted for co-operative engagement with the segment gear -10-. Theopposite ends of the shafts 30 are mounted in an upright -17 of the saidframework, which upright may be spaced a proper distance from theadjacent end of the instrument box to permit mounting upon the saidshafts between the upright and the adjacent wall of the box, of a pairof ra-tchets 18 and a pair of weight-operating levers 50- journaled at19 on shafts --30-.

Upon the shafts 30 between the uprights 16 and 17- are mountedcylindrical commutators 20, each commutator comprising an insulatingcylinder, and a series ofcontacts -26- which may be of the form shown inFigure 6, and adapted to form a circuit closing medium between thesprings, brushes or contacts 2l which project, or may project,downwardly from an insulating cover 22 secured to the up r ends of theuprights 16 and -17- an forming with the said framework a partial casingfor the commutator 20. These insulating covers -22-- may carry suitableterminals -23- to which the wiring systems may be secured, the wiresbeing conveyed from the instrument box through an outlet -6 and aflexible conduit 24 which may carry the wires to any suitable more orless distant point where the signals are to be produced and interpreted.

'It will be obvious that if the commutator and the contacts 21 arenormally in the relative position shown in Figure 6, that rotation ofthe shaft 30 through substantially a quarter turn, or an arc of 90degrees, will bring the commutator contact --26 into a position to closethe circuit between the oppositely disposed fingers or contacts 21,thereby effecting the production of a predetermined signal, should thatbe desired. The mere closing of the circuit indicates the movement ofcontact trip -4. as by the wheel of a passing train. The ratchets 1Smounted upon respective shafts 30 are each free to rotate in onedirection, but are normally prevented from return rotation by the pawls27- pivoted at 2S- upon the framework *15--- and for the purpose ofmoving said pawls from engagement with the respective ratchets, thepawls may have their inner ends connected by a pair of links 29-, one ofsaid links having a pivotal connection to the other" pawl, and saidlinks having a common pivot 60- on a box-like structure 61- and whichmay be depressed against the action of the supportingspring -32 to movesaid pawls from engagement with their respective ratchets, and therebypermit return movement of either ratchet and either of the shafts 30- toits original position, as actuated by the balancing springs 12-.

This depression of the box-like structure 61 is effected at a delayedand substantially predetermined time through the medium of a weightmounted upon an arm 3t rotatably journaled on the flange 8(3 of a gearwheel 37, which wheel is in turn rotatably mounted on a shaft --35, thearm 34 being provided with a pivoted pawl -4-7- that engages the teethof the gear 37 so as to rotate said gear 3'7 as the weight lowers orfalls, The gear --3T is in mesh with gear teeth 39 formed integrallyupon the Shaft --8(3- which shaft. has mounted thereon an auxiliary timerelease gear &()- pinned to the shaft for rotation tl'ierewith, andhaving its peripheral teeth in engagement with gear teeth -at1- formedintegrally with the shaft 35. Mounted on the flange (55 of the gear 40is one member of an escapement mechanism for causing a step by stepmovement of the time release mechanism. This escapement mechanism, asstated, consists of an oscillatory ring t.2- having a pair of inwardlyprojecting teeth or lugs 43 and et4- which are adapted to engage theteeth upon the periphery of an escapement wheel -43- keyed to shaft 35.so as to rotate there with. As the escapement wheel 43 is rotatedthrough the rotation of shaft 35- by means of the gears --40- and --3Tand the gear teeth 39- and 41-, the teeth upon the escapcment wheel 4t3will come into contact with the pawls or teeth -43 and 4.4. upon theinterior of the oscillating ring %2 and the teeth upon the es capementwheel t-3' by alternate engagement with the pawls -4$ and -%4 will movethe pawls to thereby effect oscillating movement of the ring -42-,whereby a step by step rotation of the gear 37- is permitted to allow inlike manner a step by step downward movement of the arm 34--- and theWeight -33-, such movement continuing until the leverarm '-46 upon thepawl 47 comes into contact with the adjustable stop -48 whereupon thepawl 4'(-+ is moved from engagement withthe teeth of the gear 37 and theweight *-33- falls and strikes the box-like structure --61'- causing thepawls -27 to be moved from engagement with their respective ratchetwheels -18 thereby permitting the springs -'12- to move the operatingmechanism to its original position.

The mechanism for raising the weight -33 and its lever arm --34- to theelevated position from which it gravitates in a step by step movement,as described, consists of the lever arms -50* which, as shown, may be ofjointed form so as to be capable of returning to their original positionafter the weight -33 has fallen.

By reference to Figure 10, it will be seen that the weight 33 isnormally in its lowermost position resting upon the box-like structure61- this being the normal and inoperative position of the structure Uponrotation of either of the shafts 30- the jointed arm carried by therespective shaft will be moved thru the are illustrated in Figure 10' tothe position shown in dotted lines, and during such rocking movement,the end of the lever --50- will contact with the Weight- -33 and throwit upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines, Figure 10.

The weight will then begin to move downwardly while the shafts '30 arelocked in stationary position, and will graduallymove to the positionwhere the releasing member -4f3 strikes the stop 48 and the weight dropsto release the shaft -30- from its locked position, and permit itsreturn through the action of one of the springs -12-,

The instrument housing -31- may be supported, as indicated, between twot ies 3'- to which it is connected in any suitable way as by means ofthe angular straps "TO-. These straps may be connected to the housing inany suitable manner or may consist of a single strap of metal extendingbeneath the housing up the sides thereof and then bent outwardly acrossthe ties. The frame 15 including the uprights in which the rotary partsare journaled may be secured to the housing in any suitable manner, asby bolts not shown, or otherwise.

This housing may include a cover 7 1 forming a water-tight joint withthe other portions of the housing in any suitable manher, as byinterposed packing, and may be securely fastened in position as bylocking strap -72.

The segment gear 10- attached to the shaft 7- will be revolved bymovement of the shaft, and will transmit motion to one of the pinions13.

It will be understood that. movement of the segment gear in onedirection operates but one of the pinions, and that movement of thesegment gear in the opposite direction will actuate solely the otherpinion, thus making the instrument absolutely directionah The revolvingmotion of the segment gear 10 and the particular pinion 13 at tached toits shaft -30 will transmit this motion to the commutator 20', the timerelease operating lever -50 and the ratchet wheel -18, which ratchetwheel will be maintained in the position to which it is moved byits'respective pawl 27 until released, as described; The movement of theshaft- 30 will raise the time release operating lever 50 together withoperating weight 33 to a predetermined height, whereupon the weight 33will set in motion the mechanical time. release herein before described,and when the weight has lowered to the point where the lever arm -46contacts with the adjustable stop t8 the weight 33' will drop suddenlyupon the box-like structure 6'1 releasing the pawls 27- from engagementwith their respective ratchets -18- and permitting springs --12 toreturn the segment gear,

the shaft 30 and parts carried thereby to a rotary shaft actuatedthereby, a pair of pin ions selectively actuated by movement of saidshaft in opposite directions, and movable contacts actuated by saidpinions.

2. A track contactori comprising a shoe, a rotary shaft actuatedthereby, a pair of pin ions selectively actuated by movementof saidshaft in opposite directions, movable contacts actuated by said pinions,and ratchets actuated by said pinions.

3. A track contactor comprising a shoe, a rotary shaft actuated thereby,a pair of pinions selectively actuated by movement of said shaft inopposite directions, movable contacts actuated by said pinions, ratchetsactuated by said pinions, said operating levers actuated by saidpinions.

l. A track contactor comprising a shoe, a rotary shaft actuated thereby,a pair of pinions selectively actuated by movement of said shaft inopposite directions, movable contacts actuated by said pinions, ratchetsactuated by said pinions, operating levers actuated by said pinions, aweight-operated time release mechanism, and a weight-actuated by saidlevers.

5. 'A track contactor comprising a shoe, a rotary shaft actuatedthereby, a pair of pinions selectively actuated. by movement of saidshaft in opposite directions movable contacts actuated by said pinions,ratchets actuated by said pinions, operating levers actuated by saidpinions, a weightoperated time release mechanism, a weight actuated bysaid levers, pawls engaged with said ratchets, and means operated bysaid weight for moving said pawls from engagement with said ratchets.

6. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaftactuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft and pinionsselectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with thedirection of rocking of said shaft.

7 A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaftactuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft, pinionsselectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with thedirection of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions, andcontacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said lastnamed shafts.

8. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaftactuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft, pinionsselectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with thedirection of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions,contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said lastnamed shafts, and ratchets rotating with said last-named shafts.

9. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaftactuated thereby, a segmentgear carried by said shaft, pinionsselectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with thedirection of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions,contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said lastnamed shafts, ratchets rotating with said last named shafts, and pawlsfor engagement with said ratchets.

10. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaftactuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft, pinionsselectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with thedirection of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions,contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said lastnamed shafts, ratchets rotating with said last named shafts, pawls forengagement with said ratchets, and means for moving the pawls fromengagement with the ratchets.

11. A track contactor comprising a con tact member, a rocking shaftactuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft, pinionsselectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with thedirection of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions,contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said lastnamed shafts, ratchets rotating with said last named shafts, pawls forengagement with said ratchets, means for moving the pawls fromengagement with the ratchets,

and means for returning said parts to a normal starting position whensaid pawls are moved from engagement with said ratchets.

12. In a track contactor a time release mechanism operated solely byweight.

13. In a track contactor an instrument actuated by a passing train andmeans for mintaining said instrument in its actuated position.

14. In a track contactor an instrument actuated by a passing train andmeans for maintaining said instrument in its actuated position, and atime release mechanism for releasing said instrument from its actuatedposition after a substantially predetermined period.

15. A track instrument including a wheel contact member adapted toreceive its operating impulse from the foremost wheel of a passingtrain, said instrument including a locking device that eliminatescontact of said member with the succeeding wheels of a passing train.

16. A track instrument including a wheel contact member adapted toreceive its operating impulse from the foremost wheel of a passingtrain, said instrument including a locking device that eliminatescontact of said member with the succeeding wheels of a passing train,and a time release mechanism permitting return of said instrument tostarting position.

17. A track instrument including a wheel contact member adapted toreceive its operating impulse from the foremost wheel of a passingtrain, said instrument including a locking device that eliminatescontact of said member With the succeeding Wheels of a passing train, atime release mechanism permitting return of said instrument to startingposition, and spring means for effecting such return.

18. A track contactor including mechanism actuated by a passing trainand pawls and ratchets for holding said mechanism in its actuatedposition.

19. A track contactor including mechanism actuated by a passing train,and pawls and ratchets for holding said mechanism in its actuatedposition, and a time release mechanism for effecting movement of saidpawls from engagement with the ratchets.

20. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaftactuated thereby, a yoke actuated by said shaft, spring means supportingthe opposite ends of said yoke, a gear actuated by said shaft, a pair oflongitudinal commutator shafts and gears on said commutator shaftsmeshing With the first-named gear, means for holding said commutatorshafts in actuated position after each actuation, and means forreleasing said holding means after the lapse of a predetermined time.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

WILLIAM F. BOSSERT. JOHN C. EDWARDS.

